Recap: The First Ever European SoJo Summit
Transitions hosted the first-ever European Solutions Journalism Summit in Prague on September 27-28, bringing together over 100 journalists from 30 countries. This two-day gathering fostered a vibrant, collaborative community dedicated to advancing solutions journalism, with participants actively exchanging ideas, strategies, and experiences to elevate the craft. The summit offered a space to forge stronger connections within the European solutions journalism community, hosting journalists from across Europe—France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Hungary, Bosnia, Albania, and beyond—and media practitioners from as far as Georgia and Ukraine. This diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and passions added richness to the discussions, reflecting the global reach and potential of solutions journalism. The collaborative environment laid the groundwork for a movement committed to reshaping journalism, with a focus on telling stories that drive real-world change. #ESJS2024
New Investigative and SoJo Stories Now Available!
We’re thrilled to announce the publication of the first batch of stories from our Investigative and Solutions Journalism Grant, as part of the larger SoJo Europe Program. These pieces bring a powerful synergy of investigative rigor and solutions-focused reporting, covering crucial topics like homelessness, environmental resilience, and urban sustainability. Each story exemplifies how journalism can both uncover critical issues and present practical, innovative responses that empower communities to make change. Read more to see how these stories set a new standard for impactful, solutions-oriented journalism!
Inspiration Station: Solutions Stories From the CEE Region
Vienna
Vienna’s Cool Streets initiative transformed urban streets like Hasnerstrasse into summer oases with cooling features like mist machines, fountains, and shaded seating to reduce heat by up to 5.4°C. Initially a city-led project, Cool Streets evolved into a citizen-driven initiative after city support ended. The initiative highlights a community-led approach to climate resilience, providing valuable relief during hot months and sparking awareness about sustainable urban cooling solutions.
Czechia
FNZ, a global financial technology company, has introduced a much-needed benefit in the Czech Republic: six months of fully paid parental leave that either parent can take during their child’s first 18 months. This article explores how the policy encourages a non-traditional division of roles, helping partners empathize with each other’s responsibilities, and it’s already generating interest from both employees and their families as a model for achieving a healthier work-life balance.
Inclusive education has been mandatory in Czech elementary schools since 2016, but implementing it effectively requires ongoing state support. The Graficka School in Prague exemplifies this approach by welcoming students from many backgrounds, including those with special needs, Roma children, and recent Ukrainian refugees, offering tailored support to each. This article looks into how inclusive education benefits all students, but needs stronger, consistent backing from the state to remain sustainable.